FWC/AAUP Constitution

FWC/AAUP CONSTITUTION

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Article I - Name of Organization

 

The name of the organization shall be the Faculty Welfare Committee/American Association

of University Professors (FWC/AAUP). This organization is an ad hoc committee of the

General Faculty of Fairfield University and an affiliate of the national American Association

of University Professors.

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Article II - Purpose

 

The FWC/AAUP shall facilitate cooperation among teachers and research scholars at

Fairfield University and other universities and colleges, for the promotion of the interests of

higher education and research, and in general to increase the usefulness and advance the

standards, ideals, and welfare of the profession. FWC/AAUP activities promoting these

professional interests shall be restricted to activities within the meaning of section 501(c)(3)

of the Internal Revenue Code. FWC/AAUP activities will include promoting academic

freedom and tenure, promoting the economic status of the faculty, encouraging participation

in faculty governance, facilitating the dissemination of information on higher education

principles and practices, informing the academic community about AAUP standards and

policy statements, and developing necessary and proper chapter programs for the

accomplishment of the aforementioned purposes.

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Article III - Membership

 

Any member of the General Faculty of Fairfield University may join the FWC/AAUP. Dues

for such members are set annually by the membership and may be paid through payroll

deduction or in semi-annual amounts. An adjunct faculty member at Fairfield who is a

member in good standing of National AAUP may join the chapter by paying chapter dues

each semester. Dues for such members are set annually by the Executive Committee and are

paid directly to the Treasurer.

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Article IV - Officers

 

A. Officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They shall be

elected by the membership for two-year terms that shall begin June 1 of even-numbered

years.

B. The President shall assume executive responsibility for all organizational activities

and preside over meetings of the Executive Committee and of the FWC/AAUP membership.

C. The Vice-President shall assume such functions and responsibilities as the President

may delegate, and in the absence of the President shall act as President.

D. The Secretary shall be responsible for the taking and maintaining of minutes at

Executive Committee and general membership meetings, and shall be a member of the

Communications Committee ex officio. In the absence of both the President and the Vice-

President, the Secretary shall act as President.

E. The Treasurer shall be responsible for dues collection, whether by semi-annual

payment or by payroll deduction, for the payment of all bills approved by the Executive

Committee, for the preparation of an annual budget and financial report, and for

maintenance of a membership list.

F. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall assume

that office for the remainder of the unexpired term. In the event of a vacancy in any other

office, the President shall, within two weeks, name an interim replacement, with the advice

and consent of the Executive Committee. If the length of the unexpired term is more than six

months, a special election shall be held to fill the position, following the procedures of

Article IV.

G. Removal of officers shall be initiated by a majority vote of the Executive Committee

or by petition of ten percent (10%) of the membership. Elected officers may be removed by

a two-thirds vote of the membership.

H. The Executive Committee shall appoint a Membership Director to oversee the

maintaining of the membership list and the active recruiting of new members for the

FWC/AAUP.

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Article V - Executive Committee

 

The ordinary workings of the FWC/AAUP shall be governed by an Executive Committee

composed of the officers of the FWC/AAUP and four members elected at large, for two-year

terms to begin coincidentally with the terms of the officers. An effort will be made by the

individual conducting the election to encourage nominees from all schools. Meetings are

open to the general membership.

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Article VI – Distribution of Revenue

 

No part of the revenues of the FWC/AAUP shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to

its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the Executive Committee shall be

authorized and empowered to approve reasonable compensation for services rendered and to

make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this document.

No substantial part of the activities of the FWC/AAUP shall be the carrying on of

propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the FWC/AAUP shall not

participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any

political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the FWC/AAUP shall not carry on

any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an entity exempt from federal

income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding

section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an entity, contributions to which are

deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding

section of any future federal tax code.

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Article VII – Distribution of Assets Upon Dissolution

 

Upon the dissolution of the FWC/AAUP, assets shall be distributed to the American

Association of University Professors, which is a charitable and educational organization, and

such assets shall be used for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section

501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal

tax code. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent

Jurisdiction of Fairfield County, Fairfield, CT, exclusively for such purposes or to such

organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and

operated exclusively for such purposes.

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Article VIII - Constitution Ratification and Amendment

 

This Constitution shall be ratified or amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members.

 

By-Laws

 

I. Meetings

General membership meetings shall be called at the discretion of the Executive

Committee or by petition of ten percent (10%) of the members. Members unable to attend a

meeting may vote by proxy; no member may hold more than 4 proxies.

 

II. Elections

Elections for officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee shall be held

before the close of the academic year in even-numbered years. The election shall be

conducted by a member appointed by the President who has served on the Executive

Committee in the last 5 years and is not running for any office. Winners shall be decided by

a simple majority of those present or voting by proxy. Nominations shall be from the floor.

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III. Standing Subcommittees

The following Subcommittees shall be staffed by volunteers from the general

membership. Subcommittee size is not fixed except for the Steering Subcommittee. Chairs of

these Subcommittees shall be appointed by the President after consultation with the Executive

Committee. Recommendations of the Subcommittees shall be forwarded to the general

membership through the Executive Committee.

 

A. Academic Freedom and Tenure

Committee A, the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, shall promote AAUP

Policies in the area of academic freedom and tenure. Its activities shall include reviewing

related policies at Fairfield University and providing advice and counsel to individual

faculty in such matters. Its efforts will be coordinated with state and national AAUP

organizations.

 

B. Committee on Contingency and the Profession

The Committee on Contingency and the Profession deals with issues related to, and

works to improve conditions for contingent faculty.

 

C. Committee on the Status of Women

Committee W, the Committee on the Status of Women, shall promote AAUP

policies on the status and concerns of women in the academic profession. Its efforts will be

coordinated with appropriate university committees. Committee W will provide advice and

counsel to individual faculty members on gender issues and on family issues. The

Committee acknowledges that issues traditionally viewed as concerning women also have an

impact on male faculty.

 

D. Steering

The Steering Committee shall be active during negotiations and during periods of

formal university-wide planning. Its membership shall consist of the Executive Committee

and those members of the Salary Committee who are also members of the FWC/AAUP. It

shall assist the Salary Committee in the development of negotiating strategies, provide

support through the national AAUP Collective Bargaining Congress, and coordinate efforts

with the Communication Committee. During formal periods of university planning, the

Steering Committee shall invite participation of those members of the University Planning

Committee who are also members of the FWC/AAUP. It shall assist the faculty members of

the University Planning Committee in the development of plans which further the cause of

excellence in education. The President shall serve as Chair of the Steering Committee.

 

E. Communications

The Communications Committee shall have editorial responsibility for the

publication of the FWC/AAUP Newsletter. It shall, subject to review by the Executive

and/or Steering Committee, determine the frequency and content of the Newsletter. The

Secretary shall serve as chair.

 

F. Membership

The Membership Committee shall assist the Treasurer and the Membership Director

in maintaining the membership list and actively seeking new members for the FWC/AAUP.

 

IV. Procedure for Use of Funds

 

The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Committee on Faculty

Welfare are authorized to act as follows:

1. The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds paid to the Committee

by its members;

2. The Treasurer shall deposit all such funds in the name of the Committee in bank

accounts selected by a majority of the officers of the Committee;

3. All expenditures of funds must be for a purpose approved in advance by a majority

of the dues-paying members of the Committee;

4. All withdrawals of funds shall be authorized by a majority of the officers of the

Committee up to a total of $5,000 in any single three-month period, and any expenditures

above that amount shall be authorized by a majority of the dues-paying members of the

Committee;

5. The Treasurer shall keep all records and accounts of the funds paid to the Committee

and shall account annually to the members of the Committee on the status of the Committee

accounts;

6. All records and accounts of the Committee, other than the identities of the

contributors, shall be open for inspection by any member of the Committee at any

reasonable time and place.

7. The officers are authorized to spend up to $1,000 per semester from the fund, at their

discretion, for minor expenses incurred on behalf of faculty welfare.

V. Ratification and Amendment of By-Laws

These By-Laws shall be ratified or amended by a vote of fifty-one percent (51%) of

the members.

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Revised April 2014